Powered clipper for citrus fruits and the like

Abstract

There is disclosed a device for use in fruit harvesting, that is, for clipping the stems of citrus fruits. The device is organized for one-hand operation, that is, it can be held in one hand or attached to the wrist of one hand, the device having an operating member, that is, a trigger, to be operated by a finger of the user. The device is powered by a pneumatic cylinder which, through linkage, operates a cutting blade which moves relative to a stationary member. Devices are provided for attaching the tool to a person's wrist and a finger of the user with the trigger member or button positioned for easy manipulation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A manually held tool for severing the stems of fruit products and the like comprising, in combination, a support means including an end part having a conformation to engage the stem of a product to be severed, means including at least one cutting blade having a position to be moved relative to said conformation for severing the stem of the product, means providing a rotatable mounting for a part of the said cutting blade, driving means for said cutting blade positioned for rapidly rotating said part whereby to cause said blade to move rapidly relative to said conformation for severing the stem of a product, said driving means including power means having connections to said part whereby, upon the application of power to rapidly rotate said mounting means, said blade passes said conformation, said power means being in the form of an air-operated cylinder, a source of air under pressure, and manually operated valve means for supplying air to said cylinder for operating the tool, the said tool including means for securing the tool to the user's hand for one-handed operation, the said valve means being positioned for operation by the same hand of the user, the said securing means including means for attaching the tool to the user's wrist, and means for attaching said manually operated valve means to a finger of the user for operation of the valve means by the same hand of the user. 
     
     
       2. A tool as in claim 1 wherein a part of the tool is provided with a sleeve member constructed to be used by a finger of the user. 
     
     
       3. A manually held tool for severing the stems of fruit products and the like comprising, in combination, a base having an end part, the said end part having an end conformation adapted to receive the stem of a product to be severed, the said end part being flat, a severing blade mounted to move relative to said conformation and parallel to it for severing a stem, means providing a mounting for said severing blade for angular movement of the blade relative to said conformation, a reciprocatable operating stem, the said severing blade having an extending arm, an operating link connected between the end of said reciprocatable member and said arm, and power means for reciprocating said stem whereby to impart angular movement to said blade through said link for moving the said blade for severing the stem, including an air cylinder, a source of air under pressure and manually operated valve means for controlling a supply of air to said cylinder, the said tool having a part for grasping by the user, a control member for said manually operated valve, said control member being positioned whereby to be operated by a finger of the user while grasping the said part, including means carried by said base providing for securement to a wrist of the user, including a sleeve member carried by said base adapted to receive a finger of the user to accommodate the one-handed operation. 
     
     
       4. A tool as in claim 3 wherein the said manually operated valve means is positioned for operation by a finger of the user on the hand of the user carrying the tool. 
     
     
       5. A tool as in claim 4 including a sleeve member constructed to receive a finger of the user, the said sleeve member being in a position whereby the operating member can be actuated by the same hand of the user. 
     
     
       6. A manually held tool for severing the stems of fruit products and the like comprising, in combination, a base having an end part, the said end part having an end conformation adapted to receive the stem of a product to be severed, the said end part being flat, a severing blade mounted to move relative to said conformation and parallel to it for severing a stem, means providing a mounting for said severing blade for angular movement of the blade relative to said conformation the said end conformation including an inwardly extending recess in the form of a slot positioned for receiving and holding the fruit stem while it is being severed by said blade, a reciprocatable operating stem, the said severing blade having an extending arm, an operating link connected between the end of said reciprocatable member and said arm, and power means for reciprocating said stem whereby to impart angular movement to said blade through said link for moving the said blade for severing the stem, including an air cylinder, a source of air under pressure and manually operated valve means for controlling a supply of air to said cylinder, the said tool having a part for grasping by the user, a control member for said manually operated valve, said control member being positioned whereby to be operated by a finger of the user while holding the said tool. 
     
     
       7. A manually held tool for severing the stems of fruit products and the like comprising, in combination, a support means, means including a single cutting blade having a portion to be moved for severing the stem of the product, driving means for said cutting blade positioning for rapidly moving the blade whereby to sever the stem of the product, the support means having a conformation shaped to receive the stem of a product to be severed, the conformation including an inwardly extending recess, the said severing blade being mounted to move parallel relative to said recess and closely adjacent thereto while the fruit stem is received in the recess wherein the said recess is in the form of an open-ended slot in an end of said support means adapted to hold the stem while being severed.